Hormonal
Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men produces heterogeneous time-courses for physiological effects, with sexual and psychological benefits emerging within 3-6 weeks, metabolic and inflammatory changes within 1-3 months, and structural changes in muscle, bone, and erythropoiesis taking 6-12 months or longer to reach maximum effect.
If you start testosterone therapy, expect improvements in mood, libido, and energy within the first 1-2 months. Do not expect significant changes in muscle mass, fat loss, or bone density until you have been on therapy for 6-12 months. Consistency is key, as structural benefits take much longer to manifest than psychological ones.
Effects on sexual interest appear after 3 weeks plateauing at 6 weeks... Effects on depressive mood become detectable after 3–6 weeks with a maximum after 18–30 weeks. Effects on erythropoiesis are evident at 3 months, peaking at 9–12 months... Changes in fat mass, lean body mass, and muscle strength occur within 12–16 weeks, stabilize at 6–12 months... Effects on bone are detectable already after 6 months while continuing at least for 3 years.
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of multiple controlled studies, though the authors note few studies were specifically designed to measure time-course.
Source
Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved
Farid Saad et al. · European Journal of Endocrinology · 2011
DOI 10.1530/eje-11-0221
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